Chapter 14: Writing for Business
Chapter Context
This chapter discusses methods for organizing a business document, strategies for effective
use of email, suggestions for writing effective correspondence, and the importance of
progress, activity, and formal reports.
Outcome-based Outline
Outcome
Learning Objectives
Critical Thinking
14.2 Examine how
appropriate use of technology
and email at the workplace
enhances the image of the
organization
Communication
14.1 Report some of the
factors that make good
business writing
14.4 Illustrate procedures
and formats for different
types of business documents
Knowledge of Discipline
14.3 Describe how to write
effective and appropriate
business letters
Discussion Question Bank
This discussion question bank provides a listing of discussion questions (1-2 per module),
which are included for in-class use.
Module
Discussion Question(s)
14.1 Developing Business
Writing Skills
1. Consider a time when you looked at a business
document in your workplace. Recollect the
writing style that was used in the document.
How was it different from other forms of writing?
2. Examine some methods that can be used for
organizing a business document. Why is it
necessary to arrange such documents?
14.2 Using Technology and
Email
1. Consider a scenario when you learned of a new
company or business in a written format. How
did you receive the message? Why are such
methods of communication considered to be lean
when compared to face-to-face meetings?
2. Analyze the relevance of guidelines that are used
to compose a professional email.
14.3 Writing Business
Letters
1. Recall a business letter you received in the past.
What was it about? Discuss the writing style the
letter followed.
2. When was the last time you sent a complaint
letter to a company, expressing your
dissatisfaction with a product or service? What
was the tone of your letter? Did the customer
service department correct the problem? If yes,
how was your experience dealing with them?
14.4 Writing Business
Documents
1. Compare activity reports with formal reports.
Assess the various components of each.
2. Reflect on a time when you were approached by
a salesperson who persuaded you that you
needed a product or service. Did you read
through the company’s sales proposal? How was
it written, and what did it talk about?
Research Assignment
The following research assignments pertain to the main topics and/or themes of the chapter.
Please respond by writing a paper consisting of 1,000-1,500 words.
Writing Business Correspondence
Write a report analyzing the writing style and format of business correspondence. How are
Experiential Activity
The Memorandum
Goals
•
To teach the memorandum format
•
To obtain a writing sample of spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph
structure at the beginning of the semester
•
To maintain an individual analysis of student’s goals in business class
Group size
Entire class
Materials
Board or printed memorandum
Procedure
1. At the beginning of the semester, discuss Chapter Fourteen, as it contains
various forms of business writing that will be covered throughout the semester.
3. On the board or handing out a printed memorandum, have the students respond to
4. This can be an in-class assignment or a typed homework assignment.
6. If the instructor prefers, the memo may be sent via email.
Discussion